Just one week into the Trump Era, I find myself grasping for good news – anything positive to hold onto. With this sentiment in mind, I’ve decided to attempt to move beyond my malaise and suggest the following positive things of note (listed in no particular order):

Rain, Oh Glorious Rain: It’s sure nice to see the wet stuff finally fall from the Southern California sky after an epic drought. Not to be a wet blanket (pun intended), but we still have ways to go before we’ve fully replenished our water supply, with the flooding and mudslides a drag. However, let us rejoice at this winter’s extraordinary rainfall – 216% of normal, to be more exact.

“Alternative Facts”: Anyone who believed the Trump Administration was going to be boring has been gravely disappointed, perhaps best illustrated by the new president’s senior advisor using this term to describe the supposed false claims related to the size of the inaugural crowd. This term deserves a place in history as one of the worst cases of nonsensical spin room jargon. But what a boon for the comedy sector!

California: Ah, Cali, my old friend. Being of Chinese descent, I recognize my state and my family have not always seen eye to eye [See: Chinese Exclusion Act]. But over the years, we’ve talked it out, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and through it all have come out the other side stronger than ever. After this last election, I believe California has my back, especially if things become especially dire (and I mean, X-Men Mutant Registration bad). Unfortunately, I recognize that half of the country does not share this supportive sentiment. But, you and me, California? We’re tight.

Hidden Figures: I went into this movie believing it was going to formulaic and contrived – and it was – but Hidden Figures also proved itself to be the perfect movie for these times. Katherine Johnson (portrayed by Taraji P. Henson) is a math genius who happens to be a black woman. Kevin Costner’s Al Harrison is the decent and fair director of the Space Task Group who happens to be a white man. This movie deftly illustrates that acts and beliefs born of racism are purely constructs of our own imaginations.

Los Angeles: If California is my buddy, Los Angeles is my soul mate. Dude, you are the best! Nowhere do I feel the most comfortable in my own skin than in my own city. Sure, sometimes you smell, and occasionally I return home with you drunk on my couch, but I’d go to the mat for you and I’m sure you would for me. I think you’ve proven that diversity can not only work, but can thrive. Your future – and my own – looks bright.

So there you have it, five things I’ve found a silver lining to. But as Mr. Samuel L. Jackson remarked, just as he was about the reboot the computers in Jurassic Park, “Hold on to your butts.” It’s going to be a long four years.

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